Bad news!!! This is another plus on my consithering list.... I may tip over!!!! I can`t afford DCC yet!!!
In one of the other sites, Randy mentioned "2 function" vs "4 function" What does this mean ?? ...or does it really mean anything since this is a "Drop In" and 99.9999% of us don't have any other bells & whistles installed in the engine. ...don
Well at least it is a drop in. It is fairly easy to convert a 2 function to a 3 or even 4 function, if all that is needed is an invert of the other. So for the normal F0F and FOR (white and yellow leads), they are commonly and defaulted as Forward and Reverse. A simple transistor and a connection to ground on the decoder can invert the F0F to act as the reversing light drive. That frees up FOR to be remapped as a "3rd" light, say a Gyro, beacon, etc. BTW: for those DCC newbies, F0F is read as: Function Zero Forward and F0R is F Zero Reverse. Now the only real problem I see is that the 123 does not consist if I am not mistaken.
I just talked to Norm on the phone! Quote from Robert Rays posting Hello Robert, The decoder for the Micro Trains GP35 is the DZ123M0 Retail Price is $34.99. I have no way of telling which dealer has them in stock however your local dealer can get them now as we have them in stock. PS. this same decoder should fit the Micro Trains z scale GP9 when it comes out. Best Regards, Norm Stenzel Digitrax 770-441-7992 I just called Norm at Digitrax, not long distance for me, and asked him about a possible future 4 function drop in decoder. He said he doubts it, but, depending on how well they sell, anything is possible! So, that response was both a Bummer, and yet Hopeful! OK, does this mean we need to all go DCC to get 4 function decoders? :teeth: Hobo Tim
Tony's Train Excahnge (your DCC source) has them posted as of today. $29.95 http://www.tonystrains.com/products/digitrax_decs_small.htm
Robert, Do you know the dimensions of the DZ123M0? Any idea if it be able to fit into the Marklin Casey Jones, MTL Mogul, Marklin Bumble Bee and the Aspen Ten-Wheeler? John
John, as far I understand it, DZ123MO is simply a version of DZ123 made on PCB the size and shape of which is identical to existing PCB on Micro-Trains GP35. If you want something for other locos you should look at DZ123 and you will find the information (including sizes, etc) here: http://www.digitrax.com/menu_mobiledecoders.php DZ123: 0.36” x 0.55 x 0.13” 9.14mm x 13.97mm x 3.3mm Chris
That decoder is a specialized board, designed to fit only the GP35 and GP9 from MTL. For those locos, the smaller the better, and a Lenz Gold Mini or the new Uhlenbrock 73400 is a better choice. There will be no drop in decoder for those locos, so you will need to wire them in.
"Hello Robert, The decoder for the Micro Trains GP35 is the DZ123M0 Retail Price is $34.99. I have no way of telling which dealer has them in stock however your local dealer can get them now as we have them in stock." * * * * * Tony's Trains says Digitrax has NOT shipped any to them. Elsewhere I read Digitrax saying they are shipped doesn't mean too much. Anyone have an update on this? ...don
I too heard that some had ordered thru their local hobby shops (LHS) and were receiving them 23 Oct, etc. TTE told me Monday they did not know IF the were shipping and I had commented that others on various forums reported their LHS saying the orders were to be into them in Oct. He said he would have to still check up on it.
I got an email from Tony's saying I don't know anything else above what I posted, but the guy at Digitrax said they have them in stock. I guess we just hope for the best, expect the worse, and take what we get!
Essentially same email I received from Tony's. Oh well we should all have MTL turnouts in a day or so - so we can play with decoders later. ...don
